Mermaidcore Fashion: The Ocean-Inspired Trend to Try

Forget Cottagecore—This Summer, Fashion Is All About Mermaidcore

Move over, fairytale forests—this season, style is diving deep into mermaidcore fashion, the ethereal trend inspired by the ocean’s mythical sirens. What started as a niche aesthetic has now flooded TikTok, red carpets, and designer runways, blending seashell glamour with iridescent fantasy.

How to Wear the Look

Think shimmering blues, greens, and purples, crochet bikini tops, pleated skirts, and fabrics that catch the light like sun on waves. Makeup is all about aqua eyeliner, pearlescent highlighter, and glitter that mimics water droplets. For hair, beachy waves or loose braids pair perfectly with shell hairpins or pearl chokers—because no mermaid look is complete without a little oceanic jewelry.

Why It’s Everywhere

Thanks to Halle Bailey’s live-action Little Mermaid and Dua Lipa’s mermaid Barbie debut, the trend has surged. But longtime fans know mermaidcore isn’t new—Versace’s iconic ’90s seashell prints and Blumarine’s Y2K aquatic styles paved the way. Even high fashion is riding the wave: Bach Mai’s NYFW mermaid gowns and Megan Thee Stallion’s scale-embellished dress prove this trend is more than just a TikTok fad.

TikTok’s Mermaid Magic

Beauty creators like Nazlia Yunus (@chvker) and Chazlyn Yvonne have gone viral for their underwater-inspired looks. "Seeing Halle as Ariel—a Black mermaid—made me embrace my own siren side," Yvonne tells Teen Vogue. Meanwhile, Yunus shares how a "sea foam green eyeshadow" sparked her love for the trend.

Ready to Make a Splash?

Whether you’re DIYing with thrifted finds or investing in a shimmering Bach Mai gown, mermaidcore is all about fantasy, freedom, and fluidity. So grab your glitter, channel your inner Ariel, and dive in—the water’s fine.